Russell Brand: "I don't want to be Mayor Of London"

Rumours have been rife that the comedian and actor has been considering running for the post... but he's finally given Radio X a definitive answer.

It was recently leaked that Russell Brand was considering running for London Mayor, but his spokespeople refused to comment on the topic when questioned over the weekend, which only served to prompt further rumours.

But speaking to Jon Holmes of the Radio X Breakfast Show, Brand has revealed that he has no interest in running for the post.

When asked if he would stand, Brand remarked: "Absolutely not. We've already got a comic in the job. If you want a daft comedian running London, just leave things as they are. What I'm interested in is real change."

Boris Johnson commented that he'd be thrilled if Brand ran for the position. On Johnson, Russell said: "You can see why people like him. He's a funny bloke, he's affable, he's got a nice way with him. But this is a time where a lot of Londoners are facing real fear about their homes.

"There's a real housing crisis. We've seen protesters at Earl's Court, on the Carpenters Estate and mums having to organise not to be dispersed all over the country.

"Meanwhile Boris Johnson, the elected Mayor - elected to look after us, the people of London - takes five times more meetings with bankers than he does with civil servants, or representatives of the Fire Brigade, or any ordinary Londoner.

"I think we've already got a comedian who's more known for his hair than his policies."

You can listen to the full interview on the Radio X Breakfast Show with Jon Holmes from 8am tomorrow.

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